World Vision Staff Survive Indonesian Plane Crash

World Vision members were among survivors of the crashed Boeing 737-400 flight in Yogyakarta early Wednesday morning.

The four World Vision Indonesia staff members - two men and two women - managed to escape the burning plane after it overshot the runway on landing.

The staff described their horror as the passenger plane belonging to the Indonesian state airline, Garuda, burst into flames on landing in the city of Yogyakarta, Java, causing panic among the estimated 133 passengers on board.

Santi Hendra, WV Indonesia Finance Officer, said, "The landing was so bad, bumping, bumping and suddenly fire came out and we jumped out of the emergency exit. We were all sitting next to the emergency exit. We were 200 metres away from the plane when it burst into flames."

The World Vision staff members, Jimmy Nadapdap, Ronald Gunawan, Ruth Panggabean and Santi Hendra were all rushed to hospital for immediate check ups and medical attention. Although shaken and exhausted after their traumatic experience, they are not thought to be badly injured.

Latest reports indicate more than 40 people have died in the crash and many more were rushed to the local hospital, Bethesda. The airport was temporarily closed for two hours and flights diverted. It has since reopened.

Trihadi Saptoadi, World Vision Indonesia National Director, said, "We're so thankful that our staff survived, but really feel for those who lost loved ones and our thoughts and prayers are with the families."

He continues, "The crash comes after a particularly difficult few months following the floods in Jakarta, yesterday's earthquake in Sumatra and last year's Yogyakarta quake - our staff are going from one disaster to another."

At least 23 people died in Wednesday morning's plane crash, which, according to an airforce commander at the site, happened when the plane overshot the runway. Garuda airline confirmed that 118 people had survived.